Question for people who know...opioid addiction

[missingyears]

I understand that withdrawal symptoms from opioids can cause physical pain symptoms. Is it possible that withdrawal from very strong opiates such as heroin could cause such severe pain that it makes someone literally cry out and scream in pain?

Could you be a bit more specific on where the pain is located OP, I remember my own withdrawal from heroin and the stomach cramps were absolute agony which made me cry out

I was prescribed codeine for a bad back and took it for several months and became addicted without realising.
The day after my prescription was stopped (I’d apparently been prescribed it too long and the prescription stopped abruptly) I woke up with the most indescribable horrendous stomach cramps. I was being sick from pain, sweating, shaking and I had no idea what was going on. The stomach pains were so bad I was begging my partner to knock me out so I was unconscious and out of pain. He obviously refused so I started banging my head against the wall.

We called an ambulance and the crew were very concerned about the state I was in, I literally couldn’t stop being sick, they administered morphine and within 20 minutes I was absolutely fine.

I had lots of tests in hospital and constant pain relief but was discharged with nothing but paracetamol , the next day I woke up in the same state. Another ambulance but this time the paramedics noticed how I was fine again after more morphine.

I was asked soooo many times if I was a heroin addict in hospital but eventually we worked out I was severely addicted to the codeine I was prescribed.

I now take subutex which is a treatment for opioid and heroin addiction, I won’t go into the rest of the story, it wasn’t as simple as I’ve made it sound because that’s not what you asked.

Yes you cry out and scream with the pain of withdrawal! And shake and vomit and have the most terrible diarrhoea when your colon is no longer paralysed by the medication.
it’s not pretty and I’m so relieved that I never have to go through it again.

Taking subutex came with a terrible stigma, I wasn’t bothered because I’d never judge anyone for drug addiction. I think everyone has the capacity to become addicted or fall on hard times. I hated working as a healthcare professional though and hearing colleagues whispering about keeping an eye on me administering medication but that was their problem not mine.

I don’t know why you are asking but rather than being in that much pain from withdrawal that you (or someone else) is screaming, please look for support services to help. I wouldn’t wish the pain I went through on anyone.

I'm loathe to give an answer when I don;t know why you're asking. And the possible scenarios in my head are not healthy ones.

More detail might help.

Yes. This is half the reason that addicts can't get off. They have ALL experienced even the first, mild withdrawal symptoms and are absolutely terrified of getting "sick" again and will do anything, anything at all, to not end up there.

We are talking blood-curdling screams, gut wrenching pain. In the case of a pregnant woman it is NEVER recommended she go cold turkey as it causes miscarriage. That's how severe it is.

It disturbed me too, but that's why I answered. It read a little bit like OP didn't really believe someone was going through this kind of pain. I haven't felt it, but I've watched it and wouldn't wish what I could see on my worst enemy.

Even though I've been clean for over 10 years now reading the pp comments I still remember my own withdrawal like it was yesterday as I said in my previous reply the stomach cramps were absolute agony but the restless legs are something I would not wish on my worst enemy, OP to be able to give you the best advice I think you need to be more specific are you asking for yourself or someone else

Pain, nightmares, nausea, sweating, tossing and turning, writhing in pain.

Not me I want to add, but people that I knew in the 70's.

Can i ask what dose they prescribed you and for how long for you to become so bad? I was always led to believe codeine was a milder opioid than others they can prescribe for pain?